Textiles - Determination of water repellency of fabrics by the Bundesmann rain-shower test (ISO 9865:1991)

Describes the principle, the atmosphere for conditioning and testing, the preparation of test specimens, the apparatus and materials, the equipment calibration, the procedure, the expression of results and the contents of the test report.

Textilien - Bestimmmung der wasserabweisenden Eigenschaften von Flächengebilden mittels der Beregnungsprüfung nach Bundesmann (ISO 9865:1991)

Textiles - Hydrophobicité de tissus a l'aide d'un essai d'arrosage suivant la méthode Bundesmann (ISO 9865:1991)

La présente Norme internationale prescrit une méthode pour la détermination de l'hydrophobicité de textiles à l'aide d'un essai d'arrosage suivant la méthode Bundesmann. L'essai peut être utilisé pour évaluer l'efficacité des procédés de finition destinés à rendre hydrophobe les textiles.

Tekstilije - Ugotavljanje vodoodbojnosti ploskovnih tekstilij z Bundesmannovim preskusom dežne prhe

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
28-Feb-1999
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
01-Mar-1999
Due Date
01-Mar-1999
Completion Date
01-Mar-1999

Overview

SIST EN 29865:1999 is a European Standard that specifies a precise method for determining the water repellency of textile fabrics. This method employs the Bundesmann rain-shower test, which simulates exposure of fabrics to artificial rain under controlled laboratory conditions. The standard is harmonized with ISO 9865:1991 and is published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

The document details the entire testing process-from preparing fabric specimens and conditioning atmospheres to apparatus calibration, execution of the rain shower test, and evaluation of results. It is designed to assess the effectiveness of water-repellent finishes on textiles and provides a consistent, reliable approach for quality control and product development within the textile industry.


Key Topics

  • Test principle: Fabrics are exposed to a uniform artificial rain shower using the Bundesmann apparatus to evaluate the fabric’s water repellency through direct observation and absorbency measurements.
  • Specimen preparation: Circular fabric samples (140 mm diameter) are cut avoiding material edges and conditioned in specific atmospheres, typically at 65% relative humidity and either 20°C or 27°C.
  • Rain shower apparatus: Includes calibrated drop-forming devices producing water drops of about 4 mm diameter, ensuring a flow rate of 100 ± 5 ml/min over an 80 cm² test surface.
  • Specimen mounting: Samples are clamped on special cups, designed to collect water penetrating the fabric, with a wiper mechanism simulating natural water run-off.
  • Centrifugation step: After exposure, specimens undergo centrifugation for 15 seconds to remove excess water; weights are measured pre- and post-test to quantify water absorption.
  • Visual assessment: Water repellency grades from 1 to 5 are assigned by comparing wet samples with reference photographs-ranging from fully wetted to fast runoff with minimal water adherence.
  • Data reporting: Test reports must document testing equipment, water properties (temperature, pH, hardness), durations of rain exposure and centrifugation, quantitative absorption data, and qualitative water repellency grades.

Applications

The EN 29865 Bundesmann rain-shower test is essential for:

  • Quality control: Manufacturers use this test to verify the durability and effectiveness of water-repellent finishes on textiles such as outdoor clothing, upholstery, technical fabrics, and protective gear.
  • Research & development: Enables precise evaluation of new hydrophobic treatments or coatings under reproducible simulated rain conditions.
  • Compliance testing: Supports regulatory and certification processes by providing standardized data on fabric water repellency performance.
  • Material selection: Assists designers and specifiers in choosing appropriate textiles for products expected to withstand exposure to wet conditions.
  • Performance benchmarking: Facilitates comparison of competing textile products and finishing technologies on an objective basis.

Related Standards

  • ISO 139:1973 – Specified standard atmospheres for textile conditioning and testing, referenced within EN 29865 to ensure consistent environmental test parameters.
  • ISO 9865:1991 – The equivalent international standard that details the Bundesmann rain-shower test method for water repellency in textiles.
  • Other textile performance standards relevant to water resistance, e.g., ISO 811 (water resistance: hydrostatic pressure test) or EN 343 (protective clothing against rain).

By adhering to SIST EN 29865:1999, textile professionals can objectively evaluate and certify the water-repellent properties of fabrics, ensuring product reliability and consumer confidence in wet-weather performance. The standard's rigorous methodology and detailed reporting requirements promote consistent testing worldwide and foster innovation in water-repellent textile treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

SIST EN 29865:1999 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Textiles - Determination of water repellency of fabrics by the Bundesmann rain-shower test (ISO 9865:1991)". This standard covers: Describes the principle, the atmosphere for conditioning and testing, the preparation of test specimens, the apparatus and materials, the equipment calibration, the procedure, the expression of results and the contents of the test report.

Describes the principle, the atmosphere for conditioning and testing, the preparation of test specimens, the apparatus and materials, the equipment calibration, the procedure, the expression of results and the contents of the test report.

SIST EN 29865:1999 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST EN 29865:1999 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Tekstilije - Ugotavljanje vodoodbojnosti ploskovnih tekstilij z Bundesmannovim preskusom dežne prheTextilien - Bestimmmung der wasserabweisenden Eigenschaften von Flächengebilden mittels der Beregnungsprüfung nach Bundesmann (ISO 9865:1991)Textiles - Hydrophobicité de tissus a l'aide d'un essai d'arrosage suivant la méthode Bundesmann (ISO 9865:1991)Textiles - Determination of water repellency of fabrics by the Bundesmann rain-shower test (ISO 9865:1991)59.080.30TkanineTextile fabricsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 29865:1993SIST EN 29865:1999en01-marec-1999SIST EN 29865:1999SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD First edition 1991-12-15 Corrected and reprinted 1992-04-15 Textiles - Determination of water repellency of fabrics by the Bundesmann rain-shower test Textiles - Hydrophobicit de thus 21 /‘aide d’un essai d’arrosage suivant la methode Bundesmann Reference number IS0 9865:1991(E)

IS0 9865:1991(E) Foreword IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (IS0 member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IS0 technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, govern- mental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. IS0 collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization. Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an lnter- national Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote. International Standard IS0 9865 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38, Textiles. 0 IS0 1991 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher. international Organization for Standardization Case Postale 56 l CH-1211 Genbve 20 l Switzerland Printed in Switzerland ii

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD IS0 9865:1991(E) Textiles - Determination of water repellency of fabrics by the Bundesmann rain-shower test 1 Scope This International Standard describes a method for the determination of the water repellency of textile fabrics by a rain-shower test known as the Bundesmann method. The test may be used to assess the effectiveness of finishing procedures for rendering textile fabrics water-repellent. 2 Normative reference The following standard contains provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this International Standard. At the time of publi- cation, the edition indicated was valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encour- aged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent edition of the standard indicated below. Members of IEC and IS0 maintain registers of cur- rently valid International Standards. IS0 139: 1973, Textiles - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing. 3 Definition For the purposes of this International Standard, the following definition applies. 3.1 water repellency: The resistance of textile fab- rics to absorb rain shower water. The criterion is the amount of water absorbed following the effects of a defined artificial rain shower for a specific duration. In addition, the amount of water penetrating the textile fabrics and the water run-off may be re- corded. 4 Principle Test specimens of textile fabrics are mounted on cups and then exposed to an artificial rain shower under defined conditions. The water repellency is assessed by visual comparison of the wet speci- mens with reference photographs. The water ab- sorbed by the specimens during the test is weighed. The water penetrating the specimens is also col- lected in the cups and recorded. 5 Apparatus and materials NOTE 1 The rain shower equipment produces an arti- ficial rain shower defined by water flow, drop size and drop fall height. The rain shower equipment may have one or more devices for holding the specimens. To remove excess water from the specimens, a centrifuge for hori- zontal rotation at a specific speed is used. 5.1 Rain shower equipment,‘) comprising a system of 300 identical drop-forming devices, e.g. nozzles or jets, equally distributed over a circular horizontal surface (area z 1300 cm2) of 406 mm diameter. The approximate diameter of the drop produced by each drop former is 4 mm. Water emerging from the drop former produces a drop of approximately 0,07 ml. The water flow of the rain shower equip- ment can be varied so that the time-related flow of water prescribed for the test can be set to (100 + 5) ml/min for a rain shower surface area of 100 cm? The drop fall height, i.e. the vertical dis- tance between the drop former and the centre of the specimen surface, is 1500 mm. For the rain shower test, normal tap water is used which is passed through a mechanical filter to remove coarse con- tamination. The water temperature is (20 + 3) OC or (27 $- 2) ‘C (the latter for tropical countries). Water temperature, water hardness and pH value shall be measured and recorded in the test report, 1) For details of the source of supply of the rain shower equipment, apply to national standards institutions.

IS0 9865:1991(E) NOTE 2 A flow rate of (100 + 5) ml/min is equivalent to (200 $- 10) ml in 23 min for a surface area of 80 cm*. 5.2 Clamping device for the specimen, having the configuration of a cup to enable the water passing through the specimen to be collected and measured. The top of the cup serves to clamp the specimen in place by means of a clamping ring. Each cup shall have a tap. For thick textile fabrics, the clamping rings used are larger than those used for clamping thin textile fabrics. The exposed area of the clamped specimen is 80 cm 2. The ou
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